I was commissioned by ICF Mostra to do a series of illustrations to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Erasmus program. It is about illustrating how this European exchange program has improved the lives of several professionals from different countries of the European Union.

Alison Walton-Robson - 52 - United KingdomLifelong learning partnership project with 5 countries, 2015-2017Through the power of participatory arts, Headway Arts provides a platform for disadvantaged people to express themselves and contribute to their community. As creative director, Alison is at the forefront of this group that includes those with learning disabilities. Thanks to Erasmus+, this vision has expanded to a 5-country partnership programme and skills of education staff have been upgraded through arts workshops, transnational learning activities and seminars. Alison applauds how the European dynamic has added ‘richness’ to their work.

Einar Nilsson – 52 – NorwayErasmus Vocational Education and Training in Italy, 1997As a proud dad of new-born twin girls, painter/interior decorator Einar participated in an exchange to Venice. Joined by his family, he lived and learned in the wonderful city for three months, taking in its sights, sounds and smells. He came back with unforgettable memories and mastered age-old European building techniques, which he now applies when he renovates homes. Perhaps you have seen him in action on ‘Tid for hjem’ on TV2. He also founded his own graphic design company. Einar has obviously lived up to the Renaissance ideal of becoming a versatile man, just like Da Vinci.Discover inspiring Erasmus+ stories or share your own at ec.europa.eu/erasmus30#ERASMUSPLUS

Diego Marín - 41 - SpainYouth Work and Training, 7 countries, since 1995Diego has a strong track record in youth work and training through Erasmus+, as a member of the Trainers Pool of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe. He has devoted himself to human rights education for a long time, tackling topics such as gender issues and the integration of immigrants. Now he trains teachers, social and youth workers to use drama and music as an impactful tool to transform attitudes. Diego is passionate about helping people reach their potential and finds it extremely rewarding to hear such positive feedback from the participants.

Norbert Werner - 36 - SlovakiaErasmus student Astrophysics in the Netherlands, 2003Norbert was only 17 when he heard that Stephen Hawking gave a lecture at Utrecht University. He immediately knew that he had to study there. A few years later, he discovered that his university in Slovakia had no Erasmus program yet with Utrecht, but he persisted. When he finally got to go there, he was given a research project at the space research institute. After that, he was invited back to do his PhD and studied 8 years in America with a NASA grant. Norbert now leads an astrophysics research group in Hungary, and is an associate professor in Japan and the Czech Republic.

Nazaret Bonal Rodríguez - 27 - SpainErasmus+ Vocational Education and Training learner, France, 2016As a bakery, pastry and confectionery apprentice, Nazaret had a unique Erasmus+ experience: on-the-job training at the world-renowned French catering company, Potel et Chabot. Besides her mentor being world pastry champion Marc Rivière, she got to work with Michelin star chefs Anne Sophie Pic and Guy Savoy. One of her favourite moments was assisting in the making of a chocolate tennis ball filled with panna cotta and fruit, exclusively for Roland-Garros. She also catered for the legendary Orient Express: ‘everything was shaking, it was so funny’. Nazaret now works as the dessert chef of nouvelle cuisine restaurant Don Gil in Albacete.